Activities For Dogs In Maine On Nice Days
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
What a beautiful day it is! Wouldn't it be great to do something really cool with your best buddy? Such a nice day in Maine truly deserves to be enjoyed and why not enjoy it with your best bud! We bet you could think of some really interesting things to do today with your special canine companion that would surely please both of you. There are so many activities that are beckoning you to come, immerse yourself and your precious pooch... and enjoy. These activities for dogs in Maine on nice days could range from anything "beach" to trips on the trolley, and what a great way to deepen that special bond between you and your furry friend!
Anything Beach
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
2 - 6 hrs
Items needed
Treats
Drinking water
Balls
Floaty toys
Leash and Collar or halter
Blanket and Towel
Umbrella
Activity description
Sunny and warm weather, especially in areas in which the coastlines are spectacular, simply shout "beach" play and fun. The coastlines of Maine offer a wide variety of beach types from which to choose, ranging from the soft sandy type of beaches on the southern shores to the rocky and rugged slopes on the northern shores. If you love the water and the sun, then you'll likely want to opt for the sandy beaches in the southern sections of the state of Maine where you can enjoy the surf, sun and sand for hours on end with your best buddy at your side. There are many beaches which will permit you to bring your canine companion along, though you are expected to clean up after them and there might be restrictions on the length of the leash with which you control your pet. You can enjoy hours of swimming, floating, and games of toy toss and ball toss, providing an excellent exercise opportunity as well as special bonding opportunities for everyone involved, all for the cost of parking and food for the participants. Make it a family time and it becomes a win-win situation.
Step
1
Gather, load and go
Choose the toys, treats, drinking water and food (packed in a cooler) for all human and canine participants. Gather several towels, a beach blanket or two and beach umbrellas as well as swimwear, flip flops and sunscreen to use while you're on the beach. Be sure to plan have enough drinking water and food to last for the duration of your beach day. You don't want to run out before you're ready to head home! Now, load the car with all your stuff and collar and leash your very excited buddy, who is likely, by this time, quivering with excitement and anticipation. Load yourself in the car and set out for your desired beach location.
Step
2
Choose your spot
Once you get to the beach of your choice and locate a parking space, it's time to unload the stuff and find that perfect spot for your afternoon camp out on the beach. This step can involve a good amount of time or it can be quickly accomplished. Once found, claim your spot and set up your "beach camp", placing the umbrella where it will provide the most shade, spreading your blanket out under the shade of the umbrella and placing your cooler filled with drinking water and food also under the shade of the umbrella.
Step
3
Ready, set ... GO!
Once your little "beach camp" is set up, it's time to get ready for the fun that's sure to follow as you ready your pet and yourself for that first plunge into the cool waters! Wow, what a delightful feeling! As you inch your way into the water, your pup pulling you along like a box of rocks, your body acclimates itself to the difference in temperature from the outside air to the water. Once you are fully immersed, the fun can begin and your pup will gladly lead you in the direction most fun you've had all day! Be sure to include frequent rest and refueling breaks for both humans and canines. Keep a watchful eye on your pup as fatigue from swimming and overheating due to the sun can quickly appear.
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Ferry Boat Cruises
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
1 - 4 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Collar or halter
Treats
Drinking water
Doggy Life Vest
Activity description
The state of Maine is an awesomely beautiful place to be and seeing nature's majesty can be accomplished in a number of ways. One of the most interesting of those ways is to take a ferry trip or tour. The waterways will take you past some amazing natural scenery as well as some equally amazing man-made structures. You'll glide past some quaint old-style villages and communities as well as some very upscale ones. There will be unforgettable sights all around you, so much that you'll scarce be able to take it all in! Not only will you experience some wondrous food for your eyes and your senses, but your bosom buddy will also get the awesome pleasure of sniffing some interesting scents, many of which will only be noticeable by the oh, so sensitive canine nose. You will have to keep a good grip on that leash, especially if your precious pup likes the water as much as you do!
Step
1
Gather your supplies
Since this trip or tour will likely take several hours, it is probably a good idea to take along some snacks for yourself and your canine companion. Drinking water may not be readily available on the ferry trip so planning may be necessary. It is recommended that you call ahead to ascertain what eating and drinking rules apply as well as determining the availability of food and drinks if none are permitted to be brought on board. Of course, your furry friend will need to be either collared or haltered and a leash attached which may be limited to 4 feet in length due to the space available on board.
Step
2
Head to the ferry dock
Depending on the distance to the ferry dock from your home, this drive could range from a few minutes to several hours or more. Once you have gathered all of your stuff and loaded the car, collared and leashed your best friend, you can bid "good bye" to the boredom of home and begin your trek into the amazing natural beauty that surrounds you in Maine. By this time, your best friend will likely be prancing and dancing with excitement and anticipation!
Step
3
All aboard
Once you arrive at the ferry dock, you can purchase your ticket, the pricing of which will likely vary from a few dollars each upwards to $15 to $20 each, depending on the ferry trip and type. You and your furry family member will be required to wear life vests and your vest will be supplied by the ferry management personnel as you board the vessel. Put your pup's vest on prior to boarding. Once you are appropriately "vested", you will be directed to a seating or standing area for the trip. Get ready to thoroughly enjoy your awesome journey along Maine's gorgeous coastline! Get set for some amazing food for both your senses as well as for those of your traveling companions, whether human or canine! The ferry trip is a good place to practice commands - enjoyment of the scenery is key, and a well behaved dog will allow that enjoyment for you and the other passengers.
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Afternoon Hike
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Normal
1 - 4 hrs
Items needed
Collar or halter
Leash
Drinking water
Snacks and treats
Bags for Waste Disposal
Activity description
An afternoon hike through the woods or even the local dog park can be such a freeing experience, both for you and your walking tail-wagging best friend. The experience will provide moderate amounts of highly recommended exercise and an abundance of good, fresh air! Just like your furry family member will dance when the activities associated with the usual daily walk routine are noted, they will also get totally involved in the preparation and excitement for this amazing walk! This afternoon hike will allow plenty of time, space and stuff to sniff and investigate as you hike along wooded trails, heavy laden with interesting scents your pet will want to pursue. Most hiking trails are cheap (if not free) to utilize and an afternoon hike or walk won't involve huge equipment expenses ... likely all you'll need is a good pair of walking or hiking shoes and a back pack to carry the snacks and drinking water you'll need along the way. And, the value of the bonding experience between you and your furry family member can't be measured!
Step
1
Gather your stuff
The gear that you'll likely need for the simple hike to which we refer is really not a huge deal. We aren't talking about climbing a mountain or blazing a trail through the wilderness but rather just a pleasant hike through the woods or a dog park if no woods are available. The exercise, fresh air and bonding experience will more than outweigh some of the "macho" expectations of true, hardened hikers. We want you to be safe but have fun, so good shoes are a must as are a good dog collar or halter, a leash that's 6 feet in length and a backpack filled with yummy and nutritious snacks and drinking water for both human and canine.
Step
2
Load the car and go
Now that you've assembled your equipment, it's time to load the car. This includes your best friend ... who probably has been drooling and prancing crazily while you've been packing your stuff. Be sure to secure your best bud with a good collar or halter and attach the leash securely before loading your hiking buddy in the car. Drive to the chosen hiking location and find a great place to park your car. Unload your gear and your buddy and proceed to next step.
Step
3
Enjoy the scenery
This is the easiest of all the steps as well as being the most fun! Your hiking buddy will likely drag you to the starting point, sniffing all the way! This part of the activity will provide the most benefit for both of you. Your canine companion will revel in the carousel of amazing scents and things to seek and follow. Yes, you might find yourself climbing a hill or being dragged through dense forestry while your hiking buddy satisfies the need to sniff and follow. The fresh air and sunshine will benefit both of you as will the exercise (...and yes, even that trek up the hill is good for you...) you will both receive. And, did we say the bonding experience will be awesome, too? Keep your pup on leash at all times in order to keep him safe and as well, to protect the natural beauty found off the beaten path.
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More Fun Ideas...
Doggy Boutique
Just as you would enjoy a shopping trip to your favorite clothing, shoe or department store, your doggy will totally love walking and sniffing up and down the aisle of your local pet boutique. Or, you could even try one located in a different part of town or perhaps in another city to add a little spice to your outing. Either way, your pup will love the car or truck ride to the establishment and the shopping and sniffing experience once there.
Ice Cream Treat
Umm, doesn't that sound yummy! As the weather gets hotter, everyone enjoys a trip to the local ice cream shop for their favorite frozen creamy treat. Your precious pooch is no different! Regardless of the outside temperature, your pup will absolutely love to have a cone or bowl of ice cream dipped especially for them. Most ice cream shops will be happy to make up a cone or special bowl for your darling doggy. Be sure to check the ingredients of the treat as xylitol, a sweetener found in many foods, is highly toxic to dogs. Enjoy your dog-safe ice cream outside on the picnic table or as you walk through the park.
Dog Park Frolic
There are many beautiful and well-appointed dog parks throughout the state of Maine. They offer a variety of landscapes and play opportunities for your pet. Your adorable addition to your family can run, fetch toys, sniff and seek out a variety of toys as well as some pretty "interesting scents" which might not be found at home. And, you can watch or play along and know that both you and your canine companion are safe.
Trolley Tours
The great thing about Maine is that there is so much to see ... and it's not all along the coast! Of course, the coastline of Maine can offer some amazing beaches but there are many naturally beautiful spots to view and historical things to see within the state. A trolley trip can bring all of these things up close and personal and you can see them with your playful pup at your side.
Conclusion
Activities done with your furry best friend can be so very beneficial for both of you. Not only will these activities provide much needed exercise for improved health for your pet, it can also deepen the bond between you and your pet immensely. Activities done outside in the beautiful and sunny weather are also good for fresh air intake and the uptake of all of those wonderful vitamins which occur naturally in the sunlight ... all of which are quite healthy for you and your canine buddy or for the entire family for that matter... it's a win-win situation!